TWO people are dead and six are thought to be fighting for their lives after a head-on horror smash in west Suffolk tonight.

Russell Claydon

TWO people are dead and six have been taken to hospital, some with critical injuries, after a head-on horror smash in west Suffolk tonight.

A collision happened between two cars believed to be travelling in opposite directions on the A1101 near to Icklingham, outside Bury St Edmunds, at around 7.20pm.

It left one car overturned on its roof while two of the occupants in another car died at the scene as a result of their injuries.

Three people with serious injuries were cut free from the wreckage on an 'S' bend by firefighters, whose swift actions are believed to have saved their lives.

A child thought to be around four years old was one of the passengers who managed to clamber out of the vehicle unaided.

The crash involved a green BMW and a green Nissan Primera.

Paramedics have taken patients to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds for emergency medical treatment.

Their injuries are believed to involve broken limbs and very serious internal injuries.

As well as the police and ambulance crews, 15 firefighters attended the scene and used recently acquired upgraded cutting equipment to swiftly help remove the three trapped passengers from one of the vehicles.

Ali Moseley, Suffolk Fire and Rescue's district manager for St Edmundsbury, said: “It is not pleasant to see that carnage but everyone worked together to make the right decisions quickly and it has probably saved lives.”

Inspector Trevor Sharman, of Suffolk police, also speaking from the scene tonight, said: “We had two vehicles involved in a serious road crash.

“Unfortunately, two persons have lost their lives and a further six have received injuries, some of which are believed to be serious.

“A green BMW appeared to be travelling from the Bury St Edmunds direction and a Nissan Primera appeared to be travelling from the Mildenhall direction.

“It has been necessary to close the road down and diversions have been put in place.”

Scenes of crime officers are scouring the crash site tonight, whilst a police helicopter circled over the rural area to obtain aerial shots before the light faded.

Suffolk police are urging anyone who witnessed the collision, or who can give a report of the driving of either vehicle prior to the incident, to call the Serious Collision Investigation Team on: 01473 613500.